Life as the marketing director for a popular fashion boutique is overwhelming for Leila Sparrow, to say the least.

She’s not sure what ever possessed her to add revamping her dating life to her already hectic schedule. Calling in renowned Date Shark, Eli Walsh seemed like a good idea until she actually met with him…

Date Shark was only meant to be a side-enterprise to his thriving couple’s therapy practice, but Eli Walsh knows it’s become more of an obsession.

At least, it was until he agreed to take on Leila. Somehow she has stolen his entire focus. He wants to admit his fascination with her and growing romantic interest, but he knows coming on too strong will scare her away.

His plan to convince her that she is worth any man’s interest by first being her friend is challenged when his tips start to pay off and Leila begins dating Luke.

He was smart to guess Leila
hadn’t used the valet. She had never been to a restaurant that had a valet, so
she hadn’t been sure how it worked. Every once in a while Leila thought ahead
and prevented herself from doing something stupid. “I’m three blocks down. I
couldn’t find a space near the

restaurant.”

“North or south?”

“Um, south,” she said, glancing
that direction then back at Eli. It must have rained while they were inside.
Leila wasn’t too worried about her shoes, but she worried Eli’s monkstrap dress
shoes and tailored slacks might not survive the trek. The crisp April air made
the dampness even more profound. “Look, Eli, you’re sweet to offer to walk me
to my car, but I know you have better things to do. You don’t need to feel
obligated since …”

“Since this isn’t a real date?”
he finished. Leila nodded.

“Real date or not,” Eli said,
placing her hand on his arm, “I have no intention of letting a young woman walk
three city blocks at night all alone.

Lead the way, Leila.”

He was really only offering
because his sense of chivalry was several notches higher than the majority of
the male gender, but Leila still found herself smiling at his kindness. She
clutched onto his arm a little more tightly and started forward. The three
blocks passed quickly, but without incident. Leila was sure it was the nicest
part of the whole night.

When they reached her car, Eli
said, “Are you still all right meeting for lunch tomorrow?” “Yes,” she said after a moment’s
hesitation.

“Good. I’ll see you tomorrow at
The Fifth Street Café. Twelve o’clock.”

“I’ll be there,” Leila said, even
though she would rather be just about anywhere else.

Smiling as though he knew exactly what she was thinking, Eli
opened the car door for her. Before she could get in Eli stopped her. His hand
resting lightly on her shoulder made Leila’s tense muscles bunch up even more.
“Hey,” he said, “relax. Go home and do something just for you. You should feel
good, proud of yourself.”

“Why?” Had they been on different
fake dates tonight?

“Because if nothing else, you
just survived a night with the most notorious date shark in the city.”

Eli laughed. “Goodnight, Leila
Sparro.” Then he did something completely unexpected. He kissed

Leila’s cheek and walked
away.

Leila slid into her car and
touched her cheek. He must do that for
everyone, she thought, but her skin seemed to pulse where he had kissed
her. The only thing that broke up her amazement was Eli’s comment about
tonight. She hadn’t survived the most notorious date shark in the city yet.
Tomorrow she would get to hear about all the ways she screwed up. There was no
way she was surviving that.

DelSheree Gladden was one of those shy, quiet kids who spent more time reading than talking. Literally. She didn’t speak a single word for the first three months of preschool, but she had already taught herself to read. Her fascination with reading led to many hours spent in the library and bookstores, and eventually to writing. She wrote her first novel when she was sixteen years old, but spent ten years rewriting and perfecting it before having it published.

Native to New Mexico, DelSheree and her husband spent several years in Colorado for college and work before moving back home to be near family again. Their two children love having their seventeen cousins close by. When not writing, you can find DelSheree reading, painting, sewing and trying not to get bitten by small children in her work as a dental hygienist.

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4 1/2 StarsI really enjoyed reading this book. Leila is beginning her career, and is having problems finding a man who wants to share her life. She goes to a service that's supposed to help her find a guy who will want her for more than one date. Eli is the guy that runs the service. His initial date with Leila to find out what she likes and is looking for doesn't go well. Eventually, Eli gets things going for Leila. However by that time, he realizes that he doesn't want anyone else to have her but it may be too late. This is a well written story with great characters, and the pace was very well done with everything moving along nicely. The end was well worth the read, and you're just gonna have to read this to find out who Leila chooses.